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Find a Fun Event in Tempe

Looking for fun things to do in Tempe and the Phoenix area? Plan your visit to coincide with one of Tempe’s exciting events including festivals, concerts, sporting events and more. Browse the Tempe calendar of events to find year-round fun! And if you’re visiting this summer, visit our Summer Activities and Events vacation planning page! Tempe events offer a variety of experiences throughout the year:

Hit a vacation home run each spring at a Cactus League Spring Training game. Watch the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play at their spring training home at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Whether it’s a Tempe music festival or a Tempe block party, this part of town is bustling all year long. From contemporary art exhibits to live music to Broadways shows, art festivals or sporting events, Tempe fits the bill.

Upcoming Events

Known as one of “The Original Latin Kings of Comedy” along side Cheech, Paul Rodriguez & George Lopez, Reymundo will draw from his Latin base but don’t be fooled by the title, Alex is far from just a Latino thing. Reymundo crosses over to all demos, Alex was a highlight from P. Diddy’s first season of the “Bad Boys of Comedy” & spent 3 years touring with Blue Collar’s Bad Boy, Ron White gaining new fans all across the country. To date, Alex has put two of his own 1 hour specials on the air, ALMA Award winning “Hick-Spanic” (Comedy Central & Showtime) & his latest “Red-Nexican” (currently on Showtime) as well as playing host and producer on two other specials that got play on Comedy Central & Showtime, “Latin Diva’s” & the “Payaso Comedy Slam”. Show Times: July 30, 2015 8:00 p.m. July 31, 2015 7:30 &10:00 p.m. August 1, 2015 7:00 & 10:00 p.m. August 2, 2015 7:00 p.m.

Los Guys featuring Mark Zubia will perform on District Stage at Tempe Marketplace from 7:45 to 10 p.m. on August 7th. They are a 4-member, rock and roll band from Phoenix, so be sure to check them out!

Jesse Snyder will be performing at the Barnes and Noble fountain located at Tempe Marketplace from 7 to 9 p.m. on August 7th. Listeners should be prepared for musical flair, as Snyder has been all over the world and has improved his craft by studying other great musicians.

Shake off the workweek with a relaxing evening by the lake. Enjoy live music by participants in the TCA’s Songwriters’ Showcase, beautiful scenery and appetizers from Atlasta Catering & Event Concepts. Appetizers begin at 5 pm; Entertainment begins at 5:30 pm. No Cover Charge.

Join the Cosmonauts Sketch Comedy Troupe as they perform hilariously twisted, all-new, 100%-scripted original sketches. The Cosmonauts will keep you laughing! Special guest Names From A Hat Improv will open, and musical guest Scott Gesser will play songs from his new comedy album. (The Cosmonauts Sketch Comedy Show contains mature content and is strictly for audiences 18 and over.) Tickets for this show can be purchased here.

Matt Kahler, a local guitarist, lyricist, and singer, will perform at the Barnes and Noble fountain located at the Tempe Marketplace from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, August 7th. Be prepared for some great original music with a combination of blues, rock, and jazz sounds.

Trevor Douglas, a young man of 17 years and a “Top 12 Guy” on American Idol this season, will perform on the District Stage at the Tempe Marketplace from 7 to 7:45 p.m. on August 7th. Get ready for a great summer music with Trevor Douglas as he sends celebratory vibes through the audience.

Recognize and honor young Native American women throughout the United States. The Miss Native American USA Pageant is dedicated to encourage young women to achieve their personal goals, build character, enhance self-esteem, develop leadership skills and celebrate Native American tradition and beauty. Buy tickets to this pageant here.

Calling all superheroes! The Phoenix Zoo will be full of super powered fun on August 8, 2015. Superhero Meet & Greets – caped crusaders and community heroes such as police officers and firefighters Superhero mask craft station Live music Water slides Critter Chats with zookeepers Conservation Talks & Activities Safari Train rides ‘til dusk and camel and carousel rides And more fun! Admission is $6 for members, $8 general, children two and under are free.

Step right up and get ready to laugh, have fun and celebrate a magical night out. This top-rated show is “Revitalizing Magic” by blending their “Around the World in 80 Minutes” travel theme with all the charms of a Vaudeville-inspired roadshow. Great for date nights, anniversaries and special nights out. Shows on select Saturdays at the Tempe Center for the Arts, Mesa Arts Center, and Arizona Biltmore Resort. Carnival of Illusion is Magic, Mystery, and Oooh La La! Carnival of Illusion offers shows on select Saturdays throughout the year at several locations. Please visit their website for specific show times and locations: www.carnivalofillusion.com

Over 300 backpacks, water bottles, border restraints and other objects left behind by undocumented migrants on their journey into the United States form the basis of this exhibition exploring the human experience of crossing the U.S./Mexico border. Video and images created on location along the Arizona border ask the viewer to consider the complexities of the found objects. This exhibition is a collaboration between photographer Richard Barnes, artist/curator Amanda Krugliak and anthropologist Jason De Leόn. It was originally presented at the Institute of the Humanities Gallery, University of Michigan Ann Arbor. The ASU Art Museum presentation is supported by the Helme Prinzen Endowment. ASU Art Museum Hours Tuesday: During academic semesters 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Summer hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Additional educator hours by appointment: Mondays and before 11 a.m. Tuesday–Thursday Closed: Sunday, Monday and holidays

Oliver B. James, a Phoenix attorney, anonymously donated paintings and prints to Arizona State University in the 1950s. His goal was to provide students, faculty, school children and the general public in Arizona with the opportunity to view and be inspired by original works of art. James thoughtfully acquired and donated close to 150 works of primarily American art, working with Paula Kloster, director of the art department and curator of the collection. James’ print collection became the nucleus for the museum’s works-on-paper holdings which now number over 5,500 etchings, lithographs, woodblocks, photographs and drawings. This collection is housed in the Jules Heller Print Study Room, exhibited in the galleries and studied by students and scholars. ASU Art Museum Hours Tuesday: During academic semesters 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Summer hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Additional educator hours by appointment: Mondays and before 11 a.m. Tuesday–Thursday Closed: Sunday, Monday and holidays

Experience the desert in a whole new light at the popular summer Flashlight Tours at Desert Botanical Garden, Thursday and Saturday evenings from May 23-September 5, 2015. Take a stroll along the Garden’s Desert Discovery Trail and visit educational stations along the way where you can experience the plants, animals, sights and sounds of the desert night. Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes. This event is perfect for families or a date night. Flashlight tour activities are included with Garden admission or Garden membership.

Allen B. Carter defies categorization – except in one category. He was big. Standing six feet, four inches tall, Al had a big laugh, a big personality, a big imagination, a big heart and immense talent. Al presented himself as an outsider to the fine arts world, someone who was just “trying stuff,” “messing around” and “having fun.” This exhibition presents more than 40 paintings, sculptures, drawings and assemblages that reflect his expansive creative spirit. All works in this exhibition are on loan from Flora Stone and Cecilia Carter. This exhibtion is supported by the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and the Evelyn Smith Exhibition Fund. ASU Art Museum Hours Tuesday: During academic semesters 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Summer hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Additional educator hours by appointment: Mondays and before 11 a.m. Tuesday–Thursday Closed: Sunday, Monday and holidays

This summer exhibition, Birds of a Feather, celebrates the birds that make Arizona home or a migration stop to some exotic location. Featured artists come from around Arizona and the United States and work with a variety of media ranging from nature photography to abstract sculpture. Visitors will also enjoy displays and interactive programs from exhibition collaborators including ASU’s Art Museum and School of Life Sciences. This exhibition will be located in The Gallery inside the Tempe Center for the Arts. Free Public Reception June 19th at 6-9 p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts

Oliver B. James, a Phoenix attorney, donated 16 paintings to ASU to provide students access to real art objects. Before 1955, James would acquire and donate close to 150 works — primarily historic American paintings by well-known artists. Travel back in time and explore the story of the ASU Art Museum’s founding. This exhibition is supported by the Evelyn Smith Exhibition Fund and members of the ASU Art Museum. If you would like to bring your class or group to see an exhibition or collection, and/or meet with a curator, please contact Andrea Feller, Curator of Education at andrea.feller@asu.edu. ASU Art Museum Hours Tuesday: During academic semesters 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Summer hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Additional educator hours by appointment: Mondays and before 11 a.m. Tuesday–Thursday Closed: Sunday, Monday and holidays

Advanced birders and novice bird enthusiasts alike will enjoy informal discussions about Arizona birds given by local experts. The Lifelong Learning Speaker Series take place from 6-7 p.m. inside the Gallery on select Fridays in conjunction with the “Birds of a Feather” exhibition. Participants are encouraged to come early and enjoy some live music and appetizers in the TCA Lounge starting at 5 p.m. at Finally Friday. FREE admission. Fri., July 17th Physiological and behavioral adaptations of birds to the Sonoran Desert with Pierre Deviche, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Physiology, Barrett Honors Faculty, and Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of Sustainability, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University. Learn about and discuss some of the fascinating adaptations of Arizona birds to living in the harsh conditions of the Sonoran Desert. Examples will come primarily from studies done at the ASU laboratory over the past 15 years. Fri., Aug. 14th Liberty Wildlife with exhibiting artist Anne Peyton. Join Peyton and her husband Craig Fischer who both volunteer at Liberty Wildlife (a Scottsdale-based rehabilitation and education organization that treats injured animals) as they introduce some live birds that have been rescued by the organization. This is a great opportunity for bird enthusiasts and artists that would like to study or draw animals from life.